TWO rabbits were dumped in a cage without food and water near an Oxfordshire town.

The white male rabbits had been abandoned on The Ridgeway trackway near Wantage on July 8 and have now been rescued by the RSPCA.

A member of the public who spotted the cage on the path contacted the animal welfare charity.

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The rabbits, who have been named Sterling and Harry, are now getting the care they need thanks to the team at the RSPCA Oxfordshire branch.

RSPCA Inspector Sharon Chrisp, who is investigating, said: “Sadly, the RSPCA is called to many cases where rabbits have been abandoned in their cages.

“Rabbits are one of the nation’s most popular pets but we often see them abandoned when owners decide they no longer want them, or can’t cope with their needs.

“It is important to understand all rabbits' needs, and whether you can provide these, before considering having them as pets.

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“Hopefully these guys will be rehomed to a loving family very soon. There are lots of rescue rabbits in our animal centres across the country and I would urge prospective pet owners to consider adopting instead of buying to give rescue rabbits the second chance they deserve.

“If anyone has any information on how the two rabbits came to be abandoned, please contact the RSPCA appeal line on 0300 123 8018.

As restrictions lift and people’s lives go back to normal, the charity is concerned that for many the ‘novelty’ may wear off and they will see numbers of rabbits coming into its centres and branches.

In 2020, there were 1,174 abandoned rabbits reported to the RSPCA’s cruelty line and the RSPCA took in 2,653 rabbits altogether - which means 44 per cent of all rabbits coming into the charity’s care last year were abandoned.

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